The combining of Harman and Martin will result in operational efficiencies, including the closure of Martin's operations in Sunrise, Florida. The company will maintain a strong sales and product support presence in the Fort Lauderdale area and all staff from the facility have been offered positions within the Harman Professional organization, says the company.
"Today, we met with our team in Florida to announce our decision to integrate operations. This move will bring many long-term advantages to our customers and other stakeholders and will help sustain Martin's position as the industry's most innovative, best supported, best integrated lighting manufacturer," Brian Friborg, Harman Professional USA vice president of sales, said yesterday.
The integration of Martin and Harman United States operations has already yielded an array of sales and marketing initiatives - not least the new 10,000 sq. ft. Customer Experience Centre in Northridge, California; a dedicated Martin roadshow truck that will visit customers and partners throughout the United States; several senior new hires to bolster customer resources and the increase to three fixed sales and service centres in the United States.
"The combined value of Harman and Martin is most certainly greater than the sum of the parts," Friborg continued. "No other organization is better equipped or positioned to serve the production and installation lighting requirements of customers here in the United States. Now, by absorbing the experience and expertise of our Martin team within the Harman Professional organization and by sustaining a strong team in Florida, we are immediately smarter, swifter and better prepared to support our customers in the United States."
(Jim Evans)
